"Living in housing commission, it's unreal and a fairly dangerous environment," he said.

"I've seen many people who have come through there and they have experienced this horrifying violence and it's been tough but if it wasn't for my mother and Smithy's TGW gym, I wouldn't be here."

Four years ago Mr Kanaveilomani rode past the gym, saw a poster and thought "maybe that could be me".

When he took the sign-up papers home his mum said no straight away.

"No mother wants to see her son ever get hurt," he laughed.

But Mr Kanaveilomani prevailed which lead to a love of boxing and fitness but then he started skipping school to watch boxing videos.

. Friday Sep 09 , 2016.Nev Madsen

"I know it doesn't sound good but that's just how I was, I felt like I didn't have a place and school never interested me," he said.

"So my pathway was through this gym and Clontarf because now I get to do those things at school so why not come to school and make a future better for myself.

"My attendance record has gone up 85 per cent."

The Clontarf Foundation is an Aboriginal academy that uses sport to help improve the education, discipline, self-esteem and employment prospects of indigenous youth.

The teen who was once bullied for his weight and subjected to racism is now an assistant coach, completing a school-based traineeship for a Certificate III in fitness and plans to study a Bachelor of Education next year.

Mr Kanaveilomani said his mother had always been a shining light in this life.

"The membership I pay at Smithy's is the biggest sacrifice mum made and it may not sound like much but for a family living in housing commission, unemployed - it's a lot of money," he said.

"That's half a week's food and those are the kind of sacrifices mum has always made. I remember a while ago I wanted to learn the guitar so she went out and got me a guitar.

"She always wanted us to be all we could be."

TAKING ACTION: Harristown State School Year 12 student Corban Kanaveilomani grew up around drugs, alcohol and domestic violence and now strives to become a teacher.Nev Madsen

"For me, reconciliation is about, I know obviously it's closing the gap between what has happened, but it should be more about embracing opportunities," he said.

"I know now that there are a lot of opportunities for young indigenous kids and we just need to start grabbing hold of those things and making it less about reconciliation and more about making these opportunities part of everyday life.

"I praise them for what they've done, it's going to help and some more kids as young as me can start to realise they can do it too."